When talking with family and friends back home, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, "What is the weather like?". I answer as best as I can but since I never tune into The Weather Channel or take note of the temperature elsewhere, my reply is always just a guess. So that I will be in the know from now on, I found a little weather gadget to add to my sidebar. Now I can see the temperature and the forecast at a glance. Also, you will notice that I added another weather gadget that displays what the weather is like in my hometown. It is interesting to see the difference.
Today everything is very nice in Delta Junction. For a while there it seemed like the rain would never end, but today the sun is shining and the leaves are falling. Yes, it is Autumn here in Alaska and the leaves are already hitting the ground. Fall is such a beautiful season. It is also hunting season, so this means Chuck always has the camera with him. So much for beautiful fall photos for the blog. ho hum. I am sure I will find a way to take more than enough at a later date.
I've been trying to get some exercise lately so I've been walking as frequently as I can. Recently, after Chuck and I put Hello Kitty to bed, My Friend and I walked up the Alaska Hwy while the sun was setting. Sunsets here are so gloriously beautiful. The colors are vibrant therefore appear strange and otherworldly at times. During our walk, the Sandhill Cranes flew over in large numbers cooing and cawing like nothing I've ever heard before. The cranes' bellies were lit from the "golden hour" of the sun. It was an awesome sight.
Last night, sometime before sunset, Hello Kitty and I headed up the highway again. I was rolling her along the rocky path in the jogging stroller when she spotted something. At her request, I backed the stroller up a few feet and there laid a portion of a moose leg! I wasn't sure it was a moose leg at the time (I am still not 100% sure) so after taking a quick scan of the tree line for a scary animal finishing off the rest of the creature, I moved it with my foot to try to get a better look. At that very moment, I thought I heard something let out a low grumbly, growl. The sound came from the woods. I looked into the woods but didn't see anything. As I was looking, I was doing a fast u-turn back to the house. I was VERY uncomfortable. Now, this could have been my imagination BUT I do not think it was. I wasn't about to hang around long enough to find out.
The night prior to this, after Chuck had been out changing my flat tire and getting his hunting gear together for a while, he appeared at the doorway and casually asked if I heard a horrid roar followed by dogs barking. I had not. He wasn't through outside, so he went back out, but this time he had his shotgun close enough to lay his hands on if needed to. Of course, we never did find out what made the roaring noise. I will tell you there are several trees that bears have used to sharpen their claws with just beyond our front yard, 15 feet into the woods. How about that?
Love the addition of the weather comparison!!! BUT I think I dislike this post, maybe I am undecided, maybe it just makes me uncomfortable to hear about a fresh-looking half-eaten moose leg that you & Charley were close enough to kick. OH, and, the thought that maybe a bear could have potentially been finishing up on his/her snack nearby does not help our feelings here. Now, Guy is also concerned about this. We are both glad you are honest enough to tell the truth about the danger, but concerned about ya'll. Do ya'll have enough guns?
ReplyDeleteI share Phyllis' and Guy's concern. My other concern is that your neighbors have built a fort around their house with firewood in preparation for winter. I smell winter in your air all the way from Alabama and it makes me nervous. http://akmoosepoop.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteYes mother's can harp even when they're across country. So don't think you can run.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how close to being mauled ya'll could have been? If at anytime you are walking beyond those 15 feet outside your door and/or letting Hello Kitty play outside those 15 feet and you DON'T have a gun or bear spray on you (which aren't even necessarily surefire bets), I think you aren't realizing how serious a situation that could be and how WILD animals really are.
ReplyDeleteWill you please take a few minutes to vividly imagine how that morbid scenario would play out and the following aftermath of something so horrible? It's not nice to think about, but much less nice to live through. If you really try to thoroughly envision the worst case result of an encounter with a huge, wild animal protecting it's "kill" from start to finish, you will at least be more aware of the stakes involved, which may help you be more prepared in the future.
It's not just something people are afraid of because bears or big animals with sharp teeth and claws are scary. It's actually something that happens in reality to people and to loved ones of people. Whatever that thing was that growled (whether you imagined that growl or not), took down a MOOSE. SOMETHING--and something probably nearby--took down another HUGE animal that is also known to kill humans, and I guarantee you it was still there protecting what was left of it. I just thank God that this thing was obviously full of moose meat before you walked up on it. Otherwise, ya'll might not still be here.
Sorry, I know it's harsh, but I can't help telling you these things, because I love ya'll and because they are true.
I understand all of your concerns, as I was deeply concerned too. But here's the thing, you just can't hole up in the house because there are wild animals out there. Then we really would go Jack Nicholson on everybody. It's not like I was deep in the woods either! I was right beside the Alaska Hwy! Besides the moose leg could have fallen out of someone's truck for all I know. It IS moose season. I had my bear spray on my hip...NEVERMIND that I quickly realized there was no way I would have the ability to whip it out in time because I would loose control of my limbs if a bear was after us, but I DID have it with me. And Sunny, I like your old style of comments better. Could you go back to that? Oh and P.S. Sunny don't you know me well enough to know I have thought that morbid scene through from start to finish, way too many times?? Don't you know me well enough to know sometimes I have to literally shake my head to get those horrible thoughts out of my head? Soooo, yeah.
ReplyDeleteI like my funny comments better, too. Soooooooo, obviously don't hole up in the house, but carry bear spray and a gun, and make them EASILY ACCESSIBLE. Although, like I said, "holing up in the house" is definitely not what I'm suggesting, just use caution about where you go alone or just with Charley, especially, and know your surroundings. I know you know these things. I just want you to be very, very, overly, did I say very aware and cautious. K? K. Grrrrrrreat.
ReplyDeleteHey Hayley, I love the weather widgets. Great idea. This is a very interesting post and a little unsettling. I know you will be cautious. Psalm 91:11. You would probably never have an adventure like this in Alabama.
ReplyDeleteHayley, we are doing a Bible study on the book of Ruth. We are on week 5 of 6 and I must say that I have thought of you every step of the way. We think of Ruth and her Mother in law, Naomi of course. But this study is more focused on a young women who left her family, her culture and her language to follow her God. Naomi tried to get Ruth to turn back, but she didn't and God really blessed her. I am sure you know the story, but the writers approaach is a little different than others. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you are in my heart and my prayers especially since doing this Bible study. May God bless you as you continue to seek His will for you and your family. I am getting all mushy. Sunny really needs to make a funny comment now. Thanks for sharing your new life with us through this blog. Love you, Janice
Reading about the growls in the woods really gave me the creeps, I'm not gonna lie. I don't know you personally, so I won't go into what's already been said by family, but I'm glad you're both safe. Thank you for being so honest on your blog.
ReplyDeleteThe weather widget is great! I was so curious as to what the weather is like right now in good ol' Delta Junction. I wish it was cool at night here. This heat wave is getting to me. ;)
Got it sister.
ReplyDeleteAnd Janice. I wonder what Laura would say to the fact that you are thinking of me when you study RUTH! Ha! I, however am seriously flattered and I really appreciate that you are praying for us so frequently. Love you too.
Thanks Katie. I am glad you are reading along. Hope your job search is going better.